Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1840: Chapter 1839 - Great Saint

The Sage Lands.

It was the name of the multi-layered Immortal World above all realms. It was mostly dominated by beasts and Celestials but Immortals thrived there.

No one knew the ancient times as no history was recorded beyond a certain point. At least several million years had passed before humans, demons, and other races began to take up their own space in the various layers.

Rising up was not easy. While some connections via ascension pools existed, there were barriers that had to be overcome by tribulation first. Even if a power from a higher layer wanted to extract a lower realm cultivator, if they had not crossed the tribulation, they would be prevented.

It humbled clans and those that believed they were destined to have the world bow to them, found themselves only able to reach the next step if they overcame the tribulation. Heaven and Earth were fair but something prevented any shortcuts.

It was only evident in the Sage Lands. The Heaven Lands and mortal worlds did not seem to have such a restriction in place.

While many fortunate individuals existed, there were those that struggled no matter how powerful they should have been.

The primary example for a very long time were the 6 elementals. They were flawed cultivators that could barely get through the Soul Realm. Some believed they were examples of grasping too much power was unwise.

Heaven and Earth would punish such arrogance with a miserable fate. That was the common belief until the Saint arrived.

She seemed to emerge from nowhere. She was able to not only cultivate 6 elements but revealed the power of harmonies as well. Further, she proved the understanding of the elements’ relationships was just wrong.

The flawed path laid out by many for so many thousands of years was replaced not only for natural Qi, but demonic and eventually Celestial as well!

Some said she must have found an Inheritance or some stroke of karmic fortune for Heaven and Earth to grant her a vision.

Regardless she rose sharply from a Soul Realm to a Sky Realm like it was nothing. She seemed to possess an almost impossible to stop destiny.

Many powers tried to ensnare her while young masters pursued her. Yet, she showed no interest in anyone but granting the other 6 elementals a way forward. She did not make a sect but held Dao sermons wherever she could.

She had no professions she excelled at, her one fault, but she was more than decent at alchemy. Still, many craftsmen came to her to test theories and left inspired.

She became a Great Saint when she skipped the Star Tier entirely in the Heaven Realm! It was unheard of but her research was later published to confirm all 6 elementals would face a similar trial.

They had no need to add elements so the whole tier was nothing to them.

The stark power of 6 elementals also became clear to the point all powers actively pursued them for recruitment. The worlds had changed and she seemed unstoppable.

All that changed when she became an Immortal. Her tribulation had been highly anticipated but the fierce experience far surpassed everyone’s expectations. All felt threatened and wondered why Heaven and Earth were angry.

After she overcame it, she changed. She became reclusive and only responded if she needed something. No one knew why but each subsequent Immortal tribulation became more horrifying. Yet, no other 6 elemental seemed to suffer from them.

It was only when a Celestial pointed out that she was blazing the trail that many understood! She was literally facing a trial of Heaven and Earth! She had no more time to spare aside from preparing for the next horrifying step!

Life went on when a change occurred at the Radiant Tier. She was the first to meet a beast race that was like her!

They were a race of dragons born in a very rare place in the 4th layer. They had harmonies just like 6 elementals but they were born with them!

The dragons had arrogance and were feared by many races. In the same realm, they were nearly invincible as their power was far above those that had secondary elements.

Yet, once the Great Saint arrived, they were deeply respectful. She was human but had no issue with them at all. They even invited her to their most sacred areas where patriarchs and matriarchs greeted her.

Many were intensely curious yet none were allowed close. All anyone knew was that where the Great Saint’s progress had seemed to slow down suddenly exploded again!

In less than a thousand years she advanced to the Sovereign Tier! There were far fewer non-beast powers at that level. Still, once more, the beasts at that level welcomed her with open arms.

Some 6 elementals wondered if they would have such good treatment but they were disappointed. The Harmonic Dragons were more tolerant of them but only just.

That was the only special dispensation they gave. They did, however, pass along the jade slips that contained the Great Saint’s lessons.

Centuries passed until the Great Saint finally stood at the 6th layer of the Sage Lands.

⬧⬧⬧⬧

Her hair had gone silver but still had dark streaks in it. Her face was not an unparalleled beauty, yet she would draw eyes with ease. Her confidence was like a calm force around her.

She had come so far to see what was in the sky so clearly.

There were 7 moons but only 1 had her eyes. Her robes shimmered with all 6 elements. A phoenix had refined it for her. She did not fully understand why all the most powerful beasts were so respectful to her.

The Harmonic Dragons were one thing, but all the Divine beast races were courteous to her. All they ever said was that she was touched by one far more powerful than them. They could sense it.

She flashed back to long ago, when she was mortal. She had seen a vision of a figure of awesome power standing before her. She was barely keeping her foundation stable at the Soul Realm.

A sudden flood of information had flooded her mind but only a part of it was grasped by her. She understood the relationship between the elements! Her Soul Cores stopped being so difficult!

It was also at that time that she looked up at the night sky and felt a call to the emerald moon. It was like she could faintly hear something calling her.

{Come for answers.}

She now stood at the pinnacle of cultivation and as she looked up at the emerald moon, she knew it was not like the others. Sovereign Tiers had claimed various areas in the 6th layer. Strict rules regulated their battles but they could not even put a scar on a mountain in that layer.

The power around them was clearly far above the Immortal Realm, yet it was incomplete. It was like they were being teased by someone holding back on them all!

[You stand in the Emerald Shadow, Great Saint?] A gravelly voice entered her mind but she only glanced behind her.

A hulking figure with exposed muscular arms and legs barely covered by tight leather vest and shorts stood there. Power rippled with his every move but his eyes were milky. He was blind.

"I never liked that title. What do you want, Silver Claw?" He smiled as his fingers glinted with his name sake. He was a white tiger, nearly pure blood.

"I heard you were here again. You come when it hangs full in the sky. You are the only one that can withstand it." It was true. The glow of emerald light from the moon illuminated the area across the plains in front of her. She stood in it easily but he stayed away.

The unnatural limit spoke volumes to all the Sovereign Tiers. That Emerald Moon was not like the others.

She had never felt uncomfortable under its light, yet no beast could dare to cross the border.

She looked at him and a slow smile spread on her face.

"It is the key. I can feel it. The next step to that place we all feel but cannot name. It has been waiting for someone, maybe me or even you, to turn that key." He tilted his head and his large white mane flowed smoothly even in his human form.

He was about to speak when a voice neither recognized finally spoke.

[You have been holding back, Immortal. You are ready. I have waited a long time and it is important you take the next step. Do not be afraid.]

She was wide eyed as she recognized that voice! She had heard it long ago as a young girl! She wanted to share that with Silver Claw but she turned and found him kowtowing with his face nearly in the dirt!

"What are you–?!" His voice cut her off.

"GREAT LORD, THIS ANT DARE NOT ATTEMPT IT! I AM UNWORTHY!" She had never seen the powerful white tiger react like that ever. She was about to step out of the light when a figure appeared.

It was not the same as before. It was a massive sinuous dragon with 3 horns and golden claws. Emerald scales with a fine mane down its back floated over the pair. She trembled as the reptilian eyes were the same as in her memory!

A dragon! A dragon was the moon?!

[Heh, there is no need for that. I am not of your bloodline. I have watched you and others for a long time. You are honorable. You are not ready but you have potential left. Do not give up.]

The words were powerful and inspiring. The Great Saint felt her doubts melt and Silver Claw looked up as tears fell from his blind eyes. A gentle emerald aura suddenly enveloped the warrior.

[A gift for being a good friend. Do not waste it.] The once milky orbs now shone with silver light! He blinked and looked at her before a smile spread unlike anything he had ever shown before.

He roared and ran off into the night without even saying goodbye. She knew where he was going. He had not seen his mates since he lost his sight!

She then looked up and let go of her restraint. The dragon vanished and a beam of emerald light slammed down onto the surface. She felt the complete power of the next step as she was pulled into the sky.

Many auras saw it and saw her. She knew she could not leave answers behind that time. It would be up to the efforts of others to follow her but that dragon made her believe. The next major realm was awaiting those willing to risk it!